J P 3

Last flight from Syerston 30 December1966

Would love to see this photo. Was on the flight line at much the same time so we may know each other.

Whilst looking for the above photo I came across the following RAF report.[ATTACH]174575[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]174576[/ATTACH]

From memory the weather was what we called in the local vernacular ‘HARRY CLAMPERS’ and expected a day in the line hut supping char, reading and chat. But the youngest Wing Commander in the RAF at that time decided to take a looksee taking fleet number 30 (XP569) a MARK 4 Jet PROVOST (a yellow band around the fleet number indicates this) and a student for the flight.
On New Years Eve myself and a number of others were informed to be at the guardroom 0900 hrs. in civvies! on New Years Day. We went by 3 tonner near to Rampton Mental Hospital. What a place to crash! The JP had struck a ditch next to a narrow road backed by an embankment and hedge. The crew had left the aircraft through their straps and the front screen. We were first to comb the field in front of the JP for any human remains left on the scene. I found a very small piece of flesh which an officer bagged. Later we searched the possible track of the JP in case anything had fell from the aircraft causing its loss. When we returned to camp a little job to pass the day away was unloading the remains of the JP from its transport into a spare hangar for security.

At Syerston Mk 4’s had the tail number surrounded by yellow paint, it was much easier to spot than the pitot difference when marshalling them in.
The only photo I have (circa 1964)from Syerston shows two mates and me in front of a JP, the mark not known.

Would love to see this photo. Was on the flight line at much the same time so we may know each other.

RAF Syerston

Scott,

Tim O’Brien, the renowned aviation artist, is currently working on a book about RAF Syerston. Take a look at his website for updates.

www.timobrienart.co.uk

Cheers
Praesta

having done my Giding scholarship with the ATC at RAF syerston (home of Central Gliding School) i would be interested in any pictures of the airfield if anyone has any

thanks
Scott

Try this

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/woodboroughheritage/PlaneCrash/PlaneCrash.html

Praesta

I was one of the crashguard at this site – cold night spent sleeping in the back of a 3 tonner.

Only when I got back to Syerston did I find out the student was an old mate from 739 squadron ATC in Scarborough

:)Is there another link as this one doesn’t seem to work anymore,Thanks:)

Whilst I trawl ‘badly labelled’ boxes looking for photos of 2FTS aircraft at SJ I thought this might be of interest

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/woodborough-heritage/PlaneCrash/PlaneCrash.html

I was one of the crashguard at this site – cold night spent sleeping in the back of a 3 tonner.

Only when I got back to Syerston did I find out the student was an old mate from 739 squadron ATC in Scarborough

The picutures will be available soon – but an unforeseen, extended visit to Jutland has precluded further searching. I will post them as soon as I am able – apologies for apparently messing you all about
Praesta

I qoute Albert

Here are some of my Airfix Jet Provost models.

How many have you got? I cant say much though. I have a rather large Spitfire collection.

Wot – No “Poacher” :confused:

(Nice collection though, I must have worked on the real version of some of them at sometime me thinks – used to get lots of visiting JP’s at “Cranners”)

Here are some of my Airfix Jet Provost models

Thanks for the info guys! Only trouble with an Airfix kit is that I tried to build my son a harrier model that he had lying around for ages. It was just like the real thing – had fatigue cracks – this time fist induced. No patience what so ever! :diablo:

I guess that would lead the Airfix 1/72nd examples or the matchbox 1/72nd Strikemaster offerings then?

If your a model maker you can try the Aeroclub kit. A mixed offering of white metal and vacform parts. It looks pretty good once completed. Unsure if they still produce it. If not then try a specialist kit dealer such as king kit. By the way th ekit is in 1/48th scale

Impossible to get now! Aeroclub made superb kits of the JP4 and JP5 but they were short-run kits using rubber moulds, which have since worn out.
Incidently they were 1/48th proper injection-moulded plastic kits (not vac-formed) Consequently if one appears on E.Bay, expect to pay around £50 for it!!

If your a model maker you can try the Aeroclub kit. A mixed offering of white metal and vacform parts. It looks pretty good once completed. Unsure if they still produce it. If not then try a specialist kit dealer such as king kit. By the way th ekit is in 1/48th scale

Having worked on JP3 and 5 for five years on JPH at RAF Cranwell (2 seasons as “Poachers” groundcrew) I still have a soft spot for the old “JP”.
Since retiring from the RAF 10 years ago I have collected die-cast models of all the a/c that I worked on or had an engineering connection to – Buccaneer, Hunter, Hercules and Tornado. The one that is the most elusive is the Jet Provost of any mark. Does anyone know where I can source one?
I have tried trawling through the main model sites (there is a hand carved one, lots of dosh) but to no avail!

Here’s hoping!

George Dobie aka “BeefyBoy”

This is the only one I know

http://www.collectorsaircraft.com/ECOM_Detail.asp?ID=6032

This is a diecast model, but rather expensive for a small 1/200th scale model.
Even JP kits are becoming very rare but do come up on E.Bay. Easier to find JP Mk.5 kits that JP Mk.3/4 though.

Having worked on JP3 and 5 for five years on JPH at RAF Cranwell (2 seasons as “Poachers” groundcrew) I still have a soft spot for the old “JP”.
Since retiring from the RAF 10 years ago I have collected die-cast models of all the a/c that I worked on or had an engineering connection to – Buccaneer, Hunter, Hercules and Tornado. The one that is the most elusive is the Jet Provost of any mark. Does anyone know where I can source one?
I have tried trawling through the main model sites (there is a hand carved one, lots of dosh) but to no avail!

Here’s hoping!

George Dobie aka “BeefyBoy”

Did a quick Google search, here is a page with some color pics and History of the JP3

http://www.jetprovosts.com/jpt3/jpt3history.html

I am not much acquainted with this bird, on this side of the pond it was T-33s, and T-38s. Used to sit at the end of the Aux runway near Randolph AFB (San Antonio) watching them Touch-n-GO right over my head!

Chris

Albert,

I might be able to help. Please send me a private message with an idea of anything in particular you are after.

Steve

As some of the posters on this thread already know, I am writing a book on the history of the JP & Strikemaster and have amassed a wealth of info and photos. Whilst I have lots of manufacturers photos, ‘operational’ shots are at a premium and in particular colour photos in the ‘solid dayglo paint’ scheme of the early ’60s would be very welcome if any of you find any in your ‘trawlings’.
The JP is one of those types that just generally been ignored in favour of more ‘glamorous’ fighter types, so I am trying to put the record straight.